Field Specimen
Letters from Dr. Finch Entry 4
Field Notes: Deer Cave, deeper passage — night survey, bioluminescent fungus
The Fungus That Fishes
Coordinates: 4.03°N, 114.82°E · Deer Cave, deeper passage · Sarawak, Borneo · Night survey
Bioluminescent mushrooms glowing ghostly green from a wet cave crack, tiny flies approaching and landing on the glowing caps, dark cave passage surrounding
A small cluster of bioluminescent fungi glowing from rotting wood in a limestone crack — total darkness, no audience. Tiny cave flies come to the light and leave dusted with spores, carrying the fungus deeper into the cave. Same strange glow as the deep sea. Different creature. Different job.
Dr. Marlowe Finch — Field Journal
Fly landing sequence: approaching glow, landing on cap, departing with spore dust on legs
Fly Landing Sequence
Approach — land — depart dusted
Cave fly with spore dust on legs, dorsal view
Cave Fly
Possible spore vector
Worn brass hand lens with leather strap and glass loupe, isolated on white background
Hand Lens
Pocket loupe, 10×